In this episode of Headlines and Tidbits, Stephanie dives into one of the strangest newspaper stories of the early 20th century: the tale of Andrew Albert Simeon Parson—better known as the “Wildman of Mississippi”—and his wife, Laish.
When the couple and their young daughter emerged from the swamps in 1921, locals were shocked by their ragged appearance and even more by Albert’s bizarre claim: he had caught his wife in a bear trap decades earlier and decided to keep her as a companion. From scars, missing eyes, and wildcat fights, to rumors of feral children and hidden lives deep in the Leaf River swamp, their story captured the imagination of a nation fascinated by “wild man” folklore.
But were Albert and Laish truly isolated outsiders, or simply eccentric survivors hiding in plain sight? Stephanie unpacks the myths, rumors, and tragedies behind their lives—including the devastating loss of their son in World War I—and explores how poverty, mental illness, and survival shaped this extraordinary tale.
Afterward, stay tuned for a few quirky tidbits from the past:
A dancer who kept a live skunk as a pet.
Leopards and wolves causing chaos at the zoo.
A Chicago doctor disproving the idea that tears can kill germs.
And a Marine’s drunken wedding that led to one unforgettable divorce notice.
Join Stephanie as she brings this bizarre and haunting story back to life—straight from the pages of forgotten newspapers.
